Getty Images photographer Kevin Frayer travelled to the mountains of Qinghe County in Xinjiang, north-western China, to cover an eagle-hunting festival.

Hunting with eagles has been practised among the Kazakh people for centuries. The festival was held to promote and preserve traditional cultural values in the mountainous region that borders Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.

Kazakh hunters ride with their eagles during a local competition in the mountains of Qinghe County, Xinjiang, north-western ChinaKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA Kazakh horseman watches the eagle hunting competitionKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesThe Beysenbay brothers ride together with their eaglesKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesBolat Beysenbay sits on his horse as he holds his eagleKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesSpectators watch the action in the mountains of Qinghe County, Xinjiang, north-western ChinaKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA Chinese Kazakh eagle hunter wears a protective glove as he holds his birdKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesYermazhan Beysenbay holds his eagle as he ties up his horseKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA dog leaps into the air as it protects a homestead near eagle hunting competitionKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesA Kazakh eagle hunter dances with horsemen before the competition startsKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesKevin Frayer/Getty ImagesChinese Kazakh eagle hunter Margars Mazkin, 74 years, sits with his eagle before leaving for the competitionKevin Frayer/Getty Images